<center><b>GROUP A</center>
<p><big>Cameroon</b></big>
<p>Population: 23 million | FIFA rank: 56 | Key player: Samuel Eto'o (forward)</p>
<p>World Cup appearances: 6 | Best finish: 8 (1990) | Odds to win: 1,000/1</p>
<p>Notes: They might be known as the Indomitable Lions, but Cameroon will be hard pressed to make it out of the group stage.</p> less

<center><b>GROUP B</center>
<p><big>Spain</b></big>
<p>Population: 47 million | FIFA rank: 1 | Key player: Andres Iniesta (midfielder)</p>
<p>World Cup appearances: 13 | Best finish: 1 (2010) | Odds to win: 11/2</p>
<p>Notes: Masters of tiki-taka — a style based on short passes, possession and movement — the reigning champions are as strong as they were four years ago. Can they repeat?</p> less

Thursday marks the beginning of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the biggest sporting event in the world. Fans from around the globe will gather to root for their teams to emerge victorious.

Or come away with a draw, at least.

The frontrunners in this year’s competition are the usual suspects: Defending champion Spain, longtime European superpower Germany, and five-time winner and host Brazil top the list of contenders. Other teams — like Honduras, Iran and Algeria — may simply be happy to be in the field. But there are plenty of other intriguing teams in the middle, including a U.S. squad that has to face Germany, Portugal and Ghana in this year’s “Group of Death.”

Don’t know the first thing about footie? Don’t worry, we’ve compiled a look at each team that gives a quick overview of their World Cup history as well as a player to watch. Click through the gallery above to see who will be vying for the FIFA World Cup trophy.